The California Golden Bears football program has a long and storied tradition of success, dating back to the early days of the sport. In recent years, Cal has enjoyed a resurgence under head coach Justin Wilcox, who has led the team to multiple bowl games and a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance.
One of the key factors to Cal’s recent success has been its strong recruiting classes. The Golden Bears have consistently landed some of the top prospects in the country, including several who have gone on to become NFL stars.
In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at Cal football recruiting. We will discuss the program’s history, its current recruiting strategy, and some of the top prospects that the Golden Bears have landed in recent years.
History of Cal Football Recruiting
Cal has a long history of success in recruiting top-notch players. The program’s first All-American, Tad Robinson, was recruited to Cal in 1892. In the early 1900s, Cal was one of the top football programs in the country, and it attracted some of the best players in the nation.
In the 1920s, Cal’s football program began to decline, and the team struggled to recruit top talent. However, in the 1930s, Cal hired head coach Pappy Waldorf, who led the team to a national championship in 1937. Waldorf was a master recruiter, and he helped to bring in some of the best players in the country.
In the 1940s and 1950s, Cal continued to recruit top talent, and the team enjoyed continued success. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, Cal’s football program began to decline again.
In the 1980s, Cal hired head coach Joe Kapp, who led the team to a Rose Bowl appearance in 1981. Kapp was a successful recruiter, and he helped to bring in some of the best players in the country.
In the 1990s, Cal’s football program continued to improve, and the team reached the Rose Bowl again in 1991. However, in the early 2000s, Cal’s football program began to decline again.
In 2017, Cal hired head coach Justin Wilcox, who has led the team to multiple bowl games. Wilcox is a successful recruiter, and he has helped to bring in some of the best players in the country.
Cal’s Current Recruiting Strategy
Cal’s current recruiting strategy is focused on recruiting players who are both talented and character-driven. The Bears look for players who are committed to their academics and who are willing to work hard to achieve success on the field.
Cal also looks for players who fit into the Bears’ offensive and defensive schemes. The Bears run a spread offense and a 3-4 defense, so they look for players who are athletic and who can play multiple positions.
Cal’s Top Prospects
In recent years, Cal has landed some of the top prospects in the country. Here are a few of the top prospects that the Bears have landed in recent years:
- Bryce Young: Young is a quarterback from Pasadena, California. He is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he is a five-star recruit.
- Justin Flowe: Flowe is a linebacker from Upland, California. He is considered to be one of the best linebackers in the country, and he is a five-star recruit.
- Evan Stewart: Stewart is a wide receiver from Frisco, Texas. He is considered to be one of the best wide receivers in the country, and he is a five-star recruit.
Conclusion
Cal football recruiting is a vital part of the program’s success. The Bears have consistently landed some of the top prospects in the country, and they have a bright future ahead of them.
If you are interested in playing football for Cal, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being recruited.
1. Get Good Grades
Cal is an academic institution, so it is important to get good grades in high school. The Bears look for players who are committed to their academics and who are willing to work hard in the classroom.
2. Play Well on the Field
Of course, you also need to play well on the field to get recruited by Cal. The Bears look for players who are athletic and who can play multiple positions.
3. Get Exposure
Once you are playing well on the field, it is important to get exposure to Cal’s coaches. You can do this by attending camps, playing in all-star games, and sending your highlights to the Bears’ coaching staff.
4. Contact the Cal Coaching Staff
Once you have gotten some exposure, it is important to contact the Cal coaching staff. You can do this by sending them an email, calling them on the phone, or visiting them in person.
5. Be Patient
Recruiting is a process that takes time. Do not get discouraged if you do not get recruited by Cal right away. Keep working hard and stay positive, and eventually you will get noticed.
There are several pros and cons to playing football for Cal. Here are a few of the pros:
- Academic Prestige: Cal is a prestigious academic institution, and it offers a world-class education.
- Athletic Success: Cal has a long history of success in football, and the Bears have won several national championships.
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